Needlecraft tote carrier

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a needlecraft tote carrier appropriate for storage. More specifically, the carrier provides specialized compartments for receiving yarn, instructions or instruction manuals, needles, crochet hooks and a main compartment for receiving the project. The yarn pockets can include a closure member for securing the yarn pocket. The closure member is selected to expeditiously release yarn from the pocket without tangling. The closure member can retain a ball or skein of yarn or thread in the yarn pocket while allowing a strand from the ball or skein to extend from the yarn pocket and be unraveled from the ball or skein. The carrier can also comprise at least one pocket, or a plurality of pockets for receiving writing utensils, crochet hooks, scissors, tape measures, cable hooks, stitch markers, stitch holders, needle caps, cellular phones or other notions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/595,218 filed Jun. 16, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a carrier, tote or bag for carrying and storing a needlecraft project such as a knitting, crocheting or needlework project in which yarn pockets can be used to hold a skein and/or ball of yarn and allow the yarn to be expeditiously released from the carrier without tangling and additional easily accessible pockets can be used for receiving needles, instructions and the project itself.

2. Description of Related Art

Totes, bags, carriers and purses are known to be used to store and transport a variety of items. Typically, bags and purses are designed for personal and professional items and various designs provide locations for cell phones, wallets, change, writing utensils and the like. Totes or shoulder bags, for storing and transporting larger items, have larger compartments, typically for books, clothing, files, etc. Carriers for tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, measuring tape and the like, are also known and used by craftsmen and handymen.

It has been found that the bags, purses, totes and carriers currently on the market are not convenient for storing and transporting needlecraft projects which include yarn, needles, instructions, and the knitting project itself. Typically, one main compartment is provided to receive all items of a knitting project. Given that yarn is easily entangled with nearby items, it is inconvenient and can be frustrating to store and transport knitting projects in the carriers presently on the market.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,333 describes a foldable storage case. The case includes a subdivided pocket for receiving knitting needles. A flap above the pocket can either cover ends of short needles or allow long needles to pass over the flap. Additional foldable sections include pockets for storing additional elongate objects such as knitting needles or crochet hooks.

It is desirable to provide a carrier for a knitting project providing easily accessible pockets for receiving yarn, needles, instructions, and the knitting project itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a needlecraft tote carrier appropriate for storage and transport of a knitting, crochet or needlework project. The carrier can comprise a bag, tote, shoulder bag or purse. More specifically, the carrier provides specialized compartments for receiving yarn, instructions or instruction manuals, needles, crochet hooks and a main compartment for receiving the project. The yarn pockets can include a closure member for securing the yarn pocket. The closure member is selected to expeditiously release yarn from the pocket without tangling. The closure member can retain a ball or skein of yarn or thread in the yarn pocket while allowing a strand from the ball or skein to extend from the yarn pocket and be unraveled from the ball or skein. Accordingly, the yarn pockets and closure members keep the ball or skein in place and prevent them from popping out of the pockets and rolling away. The closure member can easily be opened to access the ball or skein to remove or unknot without having to cut the yarn or thread.

The carrier can also comprise at least one pocket, or a plurality of pockets for receiving writing utensils, crochet hooks, scissors, tape measures, cable hooks, large eye needles, stitch markers, stitch holders, needle caps, cellular phones or other notions. The carrier can further comprise at least one handle of fixed or adjustable length, to facilitate ease in the transport of the carrier from one location to another location.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a needlecraft tote carrier for a project.

FIG. 2 is a view of an interior first side panel of the carrier.

FIG. 3 is a view of an interior of a second side panel of the carrier.

FIG. 4 is a top and side perspective view showing the inside of an open needlecraft tote carrier showing the interior of the first side panel.

FIG. 5 is a view of the inside of an open needlecraft tote carrier showing the interior of the second side panel.

FIG. 6 is a view of the interior of the second side panel having a needle holder with elastic straps.

FIG. 7 is a view of the interior of the second side panel having a needle holder with elastic straps and a needle sleeve.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.

FIG. 9A is a side perspective view of the needlecraft tote carrier formed from the panel shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B is a side perspective view of the needlecraft tote carrier formed from the panel shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of a panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of a first end panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.

FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram of a second end panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the needlecraft tote carrier formed from the panel shown in FIG. 10A-10C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

The present invention relates to needlecraft tote carrier 10. Carrier 10 can be in the form of a bag, purse, tote or shoulder bag, suitable for storing and transporting a needlecraft project such as knitting projects, crochet projects, or needlework projects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention also embodies backpacks, messenger bags, duffle bags, carry-on upright bags, and the like, any of which may or may not comprise wheels.

A needlecraft project typically contains at least one ball of yarn or thread, at least one set of needles or crochet hooks, an item in process of being worked on, instructions and optionally scissors, tape measures, cable hooks, large eye needles, stitch markers, stitch holders and needle caps. While reference is made to needlecraft projects, this term is to be broadly interpreted to include but not be limited to other projects such as knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, crewelwork, hook work, and other projects in addition to fiber and needle arts.

Generally, carrier 10 will have bottom panel 40, first side panel 28 and opposing parallel second side panel 30, first end panel 37 and opposing parallel second end panel 39, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Bottom panel 40, first side panel 28, second side panel 30, first end panel 37 and second end panel 39 are coupled to one another, for example, with stitching, to form carrier 10. Cavity 20 is formed within carrier 10. Carrier 10 is preferably made of cloth, but may also be made of canvas, leather, vinyl, plastic and the like. Carrier 10 generally does not have Velcro™ or other similar materials in any of the areas where a needlecraft project or yarn may be located to prevent the adherence of yarn carried in carrier 10 to the Velcro™, and annoyance to the consumer. Carrier 10 is preferably made of a double layer of cloth having a selected pattern and/or color with reversible stitch to maintain the interior of the bag as aesthetically pleasing to the consumer.

Referring to FIG. 1, first handle 22 is shown fixed to first side panel 28 of carrier 10. Typically, first handle 22 is attached by sewing, double stitching and the like, but may also be adhesively attached or attached by any other means in the art. First handle 22 is used to facilitate the transport of carrier 10 from one location to another. In one embodiment, one handle may be used to facilitate the transport of carrier 10, which can alternatively be centrally attached to the top of first end panel 37 and second end panel 39.

Preferably, there are two handles, first handle 22 being attached to first side panel 28, and second handle 32 being attached to second side panel 30. Preferably, the handles will be attached to the upper third of first side panel 28 and second side panel 32. It is understood that the handles may be a variety of fixed lengths or may be adjustable to suit a variety of consumer preferences of length. The length of the handle may be adjusted by any means known in the art, or hereafter developed, for adjusting the lengths of straps, handles, belts, and the like.

First side panel 28 can be coupled to second side panel 30 with closure means 33. Closure means 33 can include any means currently known in the art, or hereafter developed is acceptable, such as a magnetic closure, buttons, snaps, and the like. It is not desirable to provide zippers on carrier 10 as yarn or thread can be caught in the zipper.

First side panel 28 can include one or more yarn pockets 11 formed on the interior, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. It will be appreciated that yarn pocket 11 could be used to house other materials such as thread or string. Yarn pockets 11 can include closure member 23 for securing outer surface of yarn pocket 11 to the interior of first side panel 28. Closure member 23 can be made of cloth, plastic, vinyl, canvas, woven or non-woven fabrics and the like. Closure member 23 can be fastened on outer surface 41 of yarn pocket 11 with fastener member 42. Suitable fastener members 42 include button, snap, hook and eye, and the like. End 44 of closure member 23 can be removably or permanently coupled to interior 43 of first side panel 28.

Second side panel 30 can include pattern slot 13 for receiving instructions or an instruction manual for a needlecraft project. One or more notion pocket 16, needle holder 14 and writing utensil holder 12 can be formed on the interior of second panel 30, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Notion pocket 16 can be pleated to facilitate greater capacity for receiving notions. Needle holder 14 can be in the form of a pocket. Notion pocket 16 and yarn pocket 11 can be located on lower portions 35, 36 of respective panels 28 and 30 to reduce pull on the upper portion of the panel when pockets contain yarn or notions, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In another embodiment, the needle holder can be at least one strap 17 of cloth, canvas, vinyl, leather and the like, which is attached to interior 45 of second side panel 30 so as to slideably receive at least one knitting needle, as shown in FIG. 6. Straps 17 can be affixed to carrier 10 by sewing, double stitching, buttoning, snapping, adhesive, or any other fastening means.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, needle sleeve 24 is used for receiving at least one knitting needle. Needle sleeve 24 is contained by at least one strap 17.

FIGS. 1 and 5 also show an embodiment in which the exterior surface of end panel 37 includes an optional notion pocket 25 with closure member 27. This embodiment is intended to provide a convenient location for an item such as a cellular phone, or other item, which remains readily available to the user.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any combination of pockets and panels may be located on the inside or outside of first side panel 28, second side panel 30, first end panel 37 and second end panel 39.

In an alternate embodiment, the opposing side panels of the carrier are formed of a single panel 51, as shown in FIG. 8. Inner panel 52 is attached, for example, with stitching, at sides 53, 54, and 55 of panel 51. Pocket 56 is formed between panel 51 and inner panel 52. For example, pocket 56 can be used to store one or more patterns or instructions. Closing means 57 is attached between panel 51 and panel 52 for closing pocket 56. For example, closing means 57 can be a button, zipper, snap or magnetic fastener and the like. Closing means can be a hook and loop material, such as Velcro™, since pocket 56 is not located in the vicinity of yarn pockets 11.

One or more yarn pockets 11 are formed between inner panel 60 and panel 51. Inner panel 60 is attached, for example with stitching, at sides 63, 64 and 65, to panel 51. Inner panel 60 includes excess material in order to form yarn pockets 11. Inner panel 60 is attached, for example with stitching, at pocket dividers 66 for forming yarn pockets 11. Closure members 23 secure outer surface 68 of each of yarn pockets 11 to panel 51. Closure member 23 may be made of cloth, plastic, vinyl, canvas, woven or non-woven fabrics and the like and may be fastened to outer surface 68 of yarn pocket 11 with fastener member 42. Closure member 23 can be removably or permanently coupled to panel 51.

Panel 51 includes stitching lines 69 to form bottom panel 40. Panel 51 is attached, for example with stitching, to first end panel 71 and second end panel 72 for forming carrier 70 including cavity 74 within carrier 70, as shown in FIG. 9A. Yarn 69 can be released from yarn pocket 11 through opening 29 adjacent closure member 23, as shown in FIG. 9B. Accordingly, closure member 23 can retain a ball or skein of yarn or thread in yarn pocket 11 while allowing a strand from the ball or skein to extend from the yarn pocket and be unraveled from the ball or skein for use in the needlecraft project. Carrier 70 has a width in the range of about 16 inches to about 20 inches, preferably 18 inches.

In an alternate embodiment, panel 51 has a reduced width for forming a smaller carrier 80, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C. For example, carrier 80 has a width in the range of about 8 inches to about 15 inches, preferably 12 inches. A pair of yarn pockets 11 are formed between panel 51 and inner panel 60. Inner panel 60 is attached with stitching at side 64 for forming one side of bottom panel 40. Panel 51 is attached with stitching at side 54 for forming the other side of panel 40. Notion pocket 16 and needle holder 14 can be formed on inner panel 52. End panel 81 and second end panel 82 have a sufficient length for attachment to panel 51 to form carrier 80 including cavity 84, as shown in FIG. 11.

In an alternate embodiment, the carrier has a smaller width, preferably 9 inches, and includes a single yarn pocket. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any combination of pockets and panels may be located on the inside or outside panel 51, first end panel 71, second end panel 72, first end panel 81, and second end panel 82.

While preferred embodiments are described in the foregoing description, such description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only embodiments have been described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are described to be protected. There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features and associated method described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. 

1. A carrier for receiving, storing and transporting needlecraft materials comprising: at least one panel defining a cavity; at least one yarn pocket coupled to an interior side of said at least one panel within said cavity; and a closure member having a first end fastened on an outside of said yarn pocket with a fastener member and a second end removably or permanently coupled to an interior of said at least one panel, wherein said yarn pocket is adapted to receive yarn or thread and said yarn or thread can be expeditiously released from said yarn pocket and said cavity being adapted for receiving a needlework project.
 2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said fastener member is a button, snap or hook and eye.
 3. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said closure member closes a portion of said yarn pocket wherein said yarn pocket is adapted to receive a ball or skein of yarn or thread, said ball or skein of yarn or thread being retained in said pocket by said closure means and a thread from said ball or skein if yarn or thread extending from said yarn pocket in an opening adjacent said closure member.
 4. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one second pocket said interior of said at least one panel.
 5. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said second pocket is adapted to receive one or more patterns or instructions.
 6. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said at least one second pocket comprises an inner panel coupled on three sides to said second end of said at least one panel.
 7. The carrier of claim 3 further comprising: closing means for closing said at least one second pocket.
 8. The carrier of claim 6 wherein said closing means comprises a hook and loop material, button, snap or magnetic fastener.
 9. The carrier of claim 3 further comprising at least one needle holder on said second pocket.
 10. The carrier of claim 3 further comprising at least one notions pocket on said second pocket.
 11. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one notions pocket on an exterior of said carrier.
 12. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said at least one panel comprises three panels, a first said panel including said at least one yarn pocket on a first end of said panel and at least one second pocket on a second end of said first said panel, said first said panel being folded to form said carrier such that said first end being opposed to said second end, a second said panel being a first end panel, a third said panel being a second end panel, said first end panel and said second end panel being coupled to said first panel.
 13. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the carrier further comprises at least one handle.
 14. The carrier of claim 13 wherein the handle is of adjustable length.
 15. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a needle sleeve and retaining means for attaching said needle sleeve to an interior of said at least one panel.
 16. The carrier of claim 15 wherein the needle sleeve is removable.
 17. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the carrier further comprises wheels.
 18. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier further comprises a pattern slot on the interior of the cavity.
 19. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising closure means for closing said carrier coupled to said at least one panel.
 20. The carrier of claim 19 wherein said closure means is selected from a magnetic closure, button or snap. 